March 12, 2020
For those who may not know, Lorrie and I are on the island of Catanduanes in the Philippines. Tonight an almost total lockdown will be implemented. As of a few days ago the domestic flight from here to Manila was cancelled and we were no longer allowed to travel outside of the island. Tonight, most of the travel within the island is also stopped. Only one of us will be allowed to travel from our house at a time with our private car and that only for basic necessities. As of now the restrictions are imposed until April 15th.
Lorrie and I have tickets for Manila on April 17th and a flight scheduled to the States on April 22nd. Obviously, this would change if the restrictions aren’t lifted by then.
We have food and they say food shipments will still be allowed into the island. (For our Alaskan friends, we are not worried about having heating oil for our furnaces ☺.)
Lorrie taught her last class this morning and I taught my last class at the school this afternoon. Most of the students had to leave before their travel to their homes was stopped. The government has suspended all public and private schools.
Only a few businesses remain open today. The Internet coffee shops that we regularly use are closed as well as the building supply store I regularly frequent. My hope is some of these businesses will open tomorrow.
So far there is no known cases of the virus on the island. However, our doctor friend, that is the head of the public hospital, said they do not have the resources to handle an outbreak if it were to happen.
Please pray for wisdom and guidance for us. Pray that we will have opportunity to be a light and an encouragement to the ones that we are able to see during this time.
We know that you too are having to deal with a variety of challenges relating to the virus. I am reminded that the Lord is not surprised with what is happening in the world and He is not worried. Let us all stand together in prayer as we walk through these times.
Nels and Lorrie